Combination electric plug-socket and switch



April 16, 1957 s, Q KUTA COMBINATION ELECTRIC PLUG-SOCKET AND SWITCH Filed Feb. 16, 1956 INVEN TOR. STANLEy C. KuTA ATToR/v Ey and United States Patent COMBINATION ELECTRIC PLUG-SOCKET AND SWITCH Stanley C. Kuta, Cedar Rapids, own

Application February 16, 1956, Serial No. 565,901

2 Claims. (Cl. 200-51) This invention relates to an electric socket which is provided with a switch.

As electrical appliances have come into use more and more it is desirable to have a number of outlets. In

addition certain outlets may be placed in relatively unaccessible locations. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an electrical plug-socket mounted on an extension cord which may be switched on and off.

Such a plug-socket may be mounted in series with the line and an appliance such as a washing machine.

Further features, objects, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in view of the drawing.

The figure is an exploded view of the switched-plugsocket of this invention.

A generally hollow cylindrical member is formed with an extending portion 11 in which are formed a pair of openings 12 and 13 for receiving the prongs of a male electrical plug that may be connected to an electrical appliance. With-in the cylindrical member 10 are mounted a pair of conductive prongs 14 and 16. These prongs are engageable with the male prongs of the appliance plug to complete an electrical circuit.

The prongs 14 and 16 are formed with right angle portions 18 and 19 and have openings through which bolts 21 and 22 extend. An insulating plate 17 is formed with openings through which the bolts 21 and 22 extend.

A switch member 23 has a portion formed with an opening through which the bolt 22 extends. Member 23 is in conductive engagement with the portion 19 and the prong 16. The switch member 23 has a V-shaped bend 24 which passes through an opening formed in the member 17 and has a large flexible extension 26 at its lower end relative to the figure. A switch assembly 27 has a turn key 29 that is connected to a shaft 28. The enter end of the shaft 28 carries an insulated cam 31 which is generally rectangular in shape. A slot 32 is formed through the member 27 and the cam 31 is mounted within the confines of the slot. The insulated plate 17 mounts against the top of the member 27 with the lower flexible extension 26 being received within the slot 32 and in engagement with the cam 31.

A conducting member 33 extends across the top of the slot 32 and is engageable with the flexible extension 26 in one position of the turn key 29. The lower end of the member 33 is connected to the downwardly extending portion 34 which is formed with a threaded opening through which a set screw 36 extends. One conductor 37 of a suitable power line 43 is fastened to the member 34 by the set screw 36.

The bolt 21 extends through an opening formed in the member 27 and engages an L-shaped member 38 which is an electrical conductor. The member 38 is mounted in an Opening 41. A set screw 39 is threadedly received in the lower portion of the member 38 and serves to attach the second side 40 of the incoming power line 43 to the member 38.

The plate 17, and the prongs 14 and 16 are received within the confines of the member 10. The switch assembly 27 is received within the member 10 and the flexible member 26 fits in the slot 32 and is engaged by the cam 31. A cover member 42 has a pair of attaching angle members 44 and 46 which have set screws 47 and 48 that are receivable within openings formed with member 10.

In operation the opposite end of the power line 43 is connected to a suitable power supply as for example 0 110 volt A. C. The extension cord of an appliance is plugged into the openings 12 and 13. This plug will engage the prongs 14 and 16. The prong 14 is electrically connected by means of the conducting screw 21 and the conducting L-shaped member 38 to one side 40 of the incoming power line 43.

The other prong 16 is connected to the electrical conducting member 26. This fiexible member has an inherent spring bias so that it tends to move downwardly relative to the figure and the cam 31 controls its position. In one position of the cam the member 26 does not engage the extension 33 and an open circuit occurs. In the other position of the cam the flexible member 26 is forced into engagement with the member 33 which completes a circuit through the member 34 to the conductor 37.

The members 10, 17, 27, and 42 are made of insulated material. The set screw 22 is received in a threaded opening.

After the appliance has been used power may be turned oil by merely turning the turn key 29 and it is not necessary to unplug the apparatus.

Although this invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment it is not to be so limited as changes and modifications may be made which are with-in the full intended scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination switch and plug-socket comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion, a pair of openings formed in one end of said body portion, a pair of prongs mounted in said body portion adjacent said openings, a plate received in said body portion, a switch member formed through an opening formed in said plate, one end of said switch member attached to the first one of said prongs, the other end of said switch member having a V-shaped flexible portion, a switch assembly engageable with said body portion and said plate and formed with a transverse slot within which said V-shaped flexible portion is received, a turn key rotatably supported by said switch assembly and with a cam at one end thereof mounted in the transverse slot and engageable with the V-shaped flexible portion, a power line with two conductors, a pair of terminals mounted on the switch assembly, one of the terminals connected to the second prong through electrical means, a conducting means extending across said slot and engageable with the V-shaped portion in one position of the cam and out of engagement with the V-shaped portion in the other position of the cam, and the second terminal electrically connected to the conducting means.

2. A combination switch and plug-socket comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion, a pair of openings formed in one end of said body portion, a pair of prongs mounted in said body portion adjacent said openings, a plate received in said body portion, a switch member formed through an opening formed in said plate, one end of said switch member attached to the first one of said prongs, the other end of said switch member having a V-shaped flexible portion, a switch assembly engageable with said body portion and said plate and formed with a transverse slot within which said V-shaped flexible portion is received, a turn key rotatably supported by said switch assembly and with a cam at one end thereof mounted in the transverse slot and engegeable with the V-shaped flexible portion, a power line with two conductors, a. pair of terminals mpunted on the switchessemhly, one of the terminals connected to the second prong through electrical means, ;a conducting meajns extending across said slot and enga'geable with the v shap ed portion in one position of the cam endout of engagement with the V-shaped portion in the other References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED SIATES PATENTS Goodridge Sept. 6, 1910 'Hubhell Aiig. 7, 1928 

